Back from the game (Kettering Away)

[Dirk Gently]

to anyone who went to the game? i heard there was an appeal for a penalty.
what did you think of it ? anyone?

Ball bounced up and hit a Kettering defender on his hand in the area. Would have been a hardsh one but I've seen them given before.

[leww_rfc]

to anyone who went to the game? i heard there was an appeal for a penalty.
what did you think of it ? anyone?

Ball bounced up and hit a Kettering defender on his hand in the area. Would have been a hardsh one but I've seen them given before.

ahh okay cheers.

i dunno where i read that church was tripped

[Badger Finger]

You were standing right by me. I laughed when you spilt your tea....Sorry!

[Upper West Ginger]

You were standing right by me. I laughed when you spilt your tea....Sorry!

Well I laughed too. Not much point in getting sad about it, was there.

Hello, by the way.

[NR_Royal]

The biggest entertainment was during the warm-up. We started with about 10 balls in play, practising passing and shooting. However there was no safety netting in evidence. This turned the whole exercise into a game of "See who can get the ball into the trees behind the goal" or "How many spectators can you hit with one shot." I was just thinking that SHunt was showing no signs of improvement when one of his shots bounced in front of the goal, over the fence, and spilt the cup of tea I was holding all down my trouser leg!

Joking apart, it was interesting to be at such a compact ground where you could hear everything the players were shouting to one another, and could get a very different view of the game at close quarters.

Ah, I saw you and your tea! I laughed

[Royal Rother]

Kettering 2-1 Reading. WoROFLld cLOLass modeLOL

Lovely. What a guy.

What were your thoughts on todays game, RR?

I thought it was quite amusing when the ref hobbled off injured after about 3 minutes.

The MK Dons fans who came down gave me some good laughs - a good bunch. They didn't play their 1st team, and had no numbers on their shirts so were not easy to identify. When one of their players made a bad tackle the ref had a chat with him and one of their fans shouted "Book him Ref - then tell us his name please!"

When W&E were 2-0 up with a few minutes left they sang "Let's pretend we scored a goal" then went absolutely mental even though the ball was in the midfield area. I'm sure it's been done before but it made I chuckle...

Not a bad performance by W&E, they had the better of the 1st half, but were under the cosh for much of the 2nd as MK Dons brought on a few subs including Richie Partridge and Trevor Johnson who are obviously a cut above W&E's bunch of honest lads.

Interesting to see that Man Utd's millionaire players struggled to beat a Malaysian 11 in their friendly today, only winning 3-2 after a late Owen goal. And they really do have a world class model.

Early pre-season friendlies mean fcuk all and are merely an opportunity to get the squad fit and try a few things out particularly when there is a new manager in place.

[glass half full]

We need more cover at right back. Still, Rosenior always talks a good game.

[Scarface]

Anyone can see the weak areas in the squad, hopefully Rodgers sorts this out quick as we can't start the season with Pearce and either Gunnerson or Cisse at the back. I think Tommy Smith will eventually sign so that should sort out the strikers.

You can see we're trying to play a more attractive style than the Coppell hoof ball, but I think it will take time and we may struggle initially in the friendlies as Rodgers works out the best formation/team.

[Southbank Old Boy]

Really not too fussed about the result, and only a little interested in the make up of the side as I expect to see some significant movements in and out of the squad

These games are still mainly fitness exercises at the moment, although obviously we are in a transition period regarding our method of play as well and so it adds a bit more interest into how we play

A very long way to go until we see Rodgers side playing in Rodgers way though

[loyalroyal4life]

I think forest will provide us with a shock first game up, they are building an impressive squad.

My outside bet for playoffs/promotion

[Crowthorne Royal]

Last season the reason we didn't go up was because we lacked quality, particularly in the 2nd half of the season.
Players and style of play were a problem.
So, it sounds like it's the same old story yesterday. It's all well and good people saying we don't need to buy but I'm afraid that all our rivals are. Our first game against Forest may expose us. You never know that might prompt Rogers to buy before the end of August, again too little too late probably.
I'm personally looking forward to the kids playing and seeing them develop, but they need quality around them to bring the best out of them.
I don't really care about pre season results, but performances do count.
Still, I'll be there 8th August and looking forward to it already.
Tomorrow night should also be a great occasion.

[Southbank Old Boy]

You cant expect the likes of Kebe to suddenly become better players under the new manager

Over time some of the might improve, but essentially our creative players havent been good enough for some time. BR needs to address that as well as giving them a style of play that might help them

[Maguire]

Pre-season friendlies mean NOTHING.

lolz@the handwringing.

[rg6royal]

By the sounds of it, it sounds like we're trying to play football, which is good to hear

[Ian Royal]

Last season the reason we didn't go up was because we lacked quality, particularly in the 2nd half of the season.
Players and style of play were a problem.
So, it sounds like it's the same old story yesterday. It's all well and good people saying we don't need to buy but I'm afraid that all our rivals are. Our first game against Forest may expose us. You never know that might prompt Rogers to buy before the end of August, again too little too late probably.
I'm personally looking forward to the kids playing and seeing them develop, but they need quality around them to bring the best out of them.

Who says we don't need to buy? Everyone knows we need to bring in players. Different people have different priorities obviously.

Personally my priorities lie with:
Out: SHunt, Rosenior and Bikey*
In: Striker, Winger (preferably one who can play either wing), Rightback & Centreback

*Only because I'm not sure he'll ever develop a sound enough temperament, and with him suspended for 4 games and Ivar injured I think we need another body, but having 4 centrebacks on the books, plus Cisse, who I'd rather play at the back than in midfield, and youngters, seems like more bodies than necessary. Replace Bikey with someone who can play from the off and the early weakness is removed.

[Snowball]

You cant expect the likes of Kebe to suddenly become better players under the new manager

Over time some of the might improve, but essentially our creative players havent been good enough for some time. BR needs to address that as well as giving them a style of play that might help them

The Watford fans seem to think that Rodgers managed to improve quite a few of their players (as individuals)

There are a few things going on.

First is the player playing in the best position? eg (no jokes please) but should Kebe play left or right wing?

Second, given that the player is in his best position, what system suits him most?

Third, if the player has a definite weakness can it be reduced or eliminated, OR, can he be played where it matters less?

Bob Stokoe, when he came to Carlisle United argued that the trick was to play to individual strengths
and arrange it so players were less likely to have their weaknesses exposed.

You might give the ball to a Doyle when he's tightly marked with his back to goal
because you trust his first touch and level of skill, but you don't want to offer
Jimmy Kebe a 50-50 header against a brick-outhouse center-back, or ask Shane to
nutmeg a couple of full-backs.

[Snowball]

IF we get Tommy Smith we will have

(17 Championship goals last season) Smith
(11 Championship goals last season) Noel Hunt

(09 Championship goals in 18 games last season) Shane Long
(03 Championship goals in 08 games last season) Mooney

Plus Kebe, Henry, Church, Davies, Robson-Kanu, and SHunt?


There's nothing wrong with that line-up. We just need a centre-back IMO

[Super Kevin Bremner!]

I actually like Snowball's stats. He does the research that I can't be arsed to do but am fascinated to see the results of.

Those goalscoring stats highlight a post I came up with a while ago where I suggested I'd be satisfied if no new players come in.

What I find completely ridiculous are the posts that suggest we need a new this and a new that because such and such isn't good enough.

My case in point would be Rosenior. Given the choice of who you'd like to have seen replace Murty (swashbuckling, commited, attacking full back) for the money that was available, I don't think we could have done much better than the swashbuckling, commited, attacking full back that is Liam Rosenior.

In fact, the only difference in my eyes between the two players, is that when Murty made a last sitch challenge he'd get up all red faced, pump his chest and scream at the midfield, whereas Rosenior does the same, dusts himself off and quietly gets on with it.

Some people must watch Reading with their heads up their own arses. Right back is definitely not a position we need to replace.

I know football is all about opinions, but if you are in the 'Rosenior is shit' camp, then hang your head in shame because you're about as wrong as wrong gets.

One thing I'll acknowledge is that in the Prem he looked a little out of his depth from time to time, but he is young and he will develop as a player.

I gotta say watching his marauding runs down the right wing, knocking it past the defender and whipping crosses into the box was awesome to watch and really got the team going.

It's amazing what crap some people write on here.

[Y25]

By the sounds of it, it sounds like we're trying to play football, which is good to hear

true, but as said on this thread BR won't be able to turn kebe into a better player

[Cookie]

Some people must watch Reading with their heads up their own arses.

Here he is getting ready for the match.